Citrus Spinach Mélange
- sanjanakrish
- Jan 20
- 2 min read
A light, crunchy, nutrient-dense salad designed to reset the palate and the day. Fresh greens, fruits, seeds, and nuts come together with a zesty, lightly sweet dressing in a bowl that’s colourful, fresh, and feels like a new beginning. A harried mom's quiet act of self love, served in a bowl!
2026 had to be different. I resolved that at the strike of midnight — my tryst with destiny would not remain an unfulfilled dream. I had a brand to build, miles to run, an eclectic family to hold together, and ten dogs to care for. Now, more than ever, I needed a reset — a reconfiguration of the mindspace of sorts — and what better place to begin than with food.So this is my spin on little moments that one can curate and craft to make life a little more flavourful, a little more swingy… a lot more interesting.
Ingredients
Salad
1 cup baby spinach
1 small mandarin, peeled and quartered
1 small apple, cut into julienne strips
½ cup Madras onion, sliced lengthwise
½ cup red cabbage, finely sliced
1 tbsp cucumber seeds
1 tbsp watermelon seeds
¼ cup microgreens
A handful of dried cranberries
A handful of slivered almonds (for extra crunch and texture)
Dressing
3 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp maple syrup / agave / desi gur (I used nolen gur from Kolkata — my added twist)
A pinch of salt
A pinch of freshly ground pepper
Juice of ½ a lime
Whisk all dressing ingredients until nicely emulsified.
Method
Arrange the baby spinach, red cabbage, onion, apple, and mandarin in gentle layers in a wide bowl.
Scatter the cranberries, cucumber seeds, watermelon seeds, and slivered almonds evenly over the vegetables.
Add the microgreens last to keep them fresh and delicate.
Drizzle the dressing over the salad.
Gently fold and toss with a fork until lightly coated.
Refrigerate for 15–20 minutes.
Serve chilled.
Tip!
Be mindful of the seeds when you’re squeezing the lime. And if you want a bit of oomphy crunch, lightly roast the seeds before tossing them in.
To Serve
You can pair this salad with pan-seared paneer or a chicken breast for added protein heft.
Molecularly Yours,
Sanjana
Curiously Irrepressible
First dreamer. Accidental chemist. Green Molecule - Clean Confidently.
A Personal Note
P.S.: This is simply my personal experience and not a prescription for anyone else. We all find our spark in different ways—to each his, her, or their own. This is not a roadmap at all, just something that worked for me.
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